Synopses & Reviews
Generalized anxiety disorder is a chronic, disabling, often lifelong condition affecting millions worldwide. Yet, despite its prevalence, GAD is frequently marginalized, misdiagnosed, and undertreated. Generalized Anxiety Disorder Across the Lifespan creates a practical knowledge base for GAD, identifying the symptoms that set it apart both from "normal, everyday" anxiety and from other anxiety-based pathologies, and thoroughly reviewing the range of established and cutting-edge treatments. The author's developmental approach sheds some light on longstanding clinical mysteries surrounding the disorder, among them the interplay of somatic and psychological symptoms and the changes in symptoms as patients age. Accessible to the novice or the veteran reader, the book: Grounds readers in the basics of GAD Offers extensive discussion of the current psychosocial treatments for GAD Examines the state of the art in pharmacological therapies with explanations of the genetic and neurobiological correlates Explores special issues, cultural considerations, treatment resistant patients, and prevention Includes guidelines for treatment of GAD in children, adolescents, adults, and older adults Features ready-to-use assessment tools for clients across the lifespan. Generalized Anxiety Disorder Across the Lifespan is a rich resource for clinicians, researchers, and graduate students looking to improve patients' quality of life--and the quality of their care. It is both a guide to current best practice and a springboard for future innovations.
Review
From the reviews: "In this clearly written volume, Michael Portman has succeeded in effectively applying his clinical experience and outstanding grasp of the conceptual and empirical literature to the understanding and treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). He brings a well-honed sensibility to the treatment of this recalcitrant condition that is at once open-minded, empirically-based, integrative and compassionate. Covering psychopharmacological, cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic and other treatments as applied to children, adolescents, adults and the elderly, the author correctly emphasizes the need to tailor a pure or integrated treatment to the individual case based on the empirical evidence available and the clinician's judgment. One comes away from reading this splendid book exceedingly well informed about the best that the field has to offer those suffering from GAD." -Stanley B. Messer, PhD, Professor II and Dean, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University "In comparison to other anxiety disorders, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) was, for a long time, a neglected topic in psychiatric research in spite of being one of the most common and frequently disabling conditions. Perhaps the absence of dramatic symptoms, such as panic attacks and phobias, and the frequent comorbidity with other disorders that made its formulation difficult, led researchers to ignore GAD and to examine easier targets. Fortunately, recent studies corrected these omissions. In this book, Portman brings us up-to-date with the research that has firmly established GAD as a separate disorder.
Synopsis
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in the United States yet there is very little comprehensive literature on the topic. As an increase in research and diagnosis continues, the importance of keeping the clinical literature up-to-date grows.
This book will provide an all-inclusive overview of Generalized Anxiety Disorder including history, diagnosis and assessment. The author will also cover various conceptual models and treatments for the disorder including developing, cutting-edge psychosocial treatments. In addition, this book will fill a gap in the literature with a chapter on special populations that includes discussion of treatments for children and adolescents as well as older adults.
Synopsis
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a chronic, disabling, often lifelong condition affecting millions worldwide. This book creates a practical knowledge base for GAD and thoroughly reviews the range of established and cutting-edge treatments.
About the Author
Michael E. Portman, DPhil, LISW-S, is a full-time staff clinical social worker at the Cleveland Veteran's Administration. He provides individual and group therapy to a patient population consisting of veterans with severe mental disorders. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Case Western Reserve University, Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, and has maintained a private practice specializing in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, especially Generalized Anxiety Disorder, for ten years. In addition to his clinical experience, Dr. Portman received a Doctorate of Philosophy in Social Work from The University of South Africa, a MSW from The Ohio State University, and a M.A. in Psychology from The New School for Social Research.
Table of Contents
Foreword by John H. Riskind. Preface.- 1. Nature of Generalized Anxiety Disorder.- 2. Assessment and Diagnosis. DSM-IV-TR: Diagnostic Criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.- 3. Conceptual Models. Beck's Model. Barlow's Emotion Theory. Cognitive Avoidance Theory of Worry. Riskind's Model of Looming Vulnerability. The Role of Intolerance of Uncertainty. Metacognitive Model.- 4. Psychosocial Treatments for Adults with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Metacognitive Therapy. Supportive-Expressive Psychodynamic Therapy. Integrative Psychotherapy. Emotion Regulation Therapy. Acceptance-Based Behavior Therapy.- 5. Pharmacotherapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Genetics. Neurobiology. Medications used for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.- 6. Special Populations. Children and Adolescents. Clinical Presentation. Assessment and Diagnosis. Psychosocial Treatments. Pharmacological Treatments. Older Adults. Clinical Presentation. Assessment and Diagnosis. Psychosocial Treatments. Pharmacological Treatments.- 7. Enigmas and Paradoxes. Prevention. Cultural Considerations. Treatment Resistant Generalized Anxiety Disorder.- 8. Future Directions and Recommendations.- Final Remarks. Appendix A: Assessment Tools for Adults and Older Adults. Appendix B: Assessment Tools for Children and Adolescents.